Victim/Witness Coordinator

About Maple Grove, MN

Maple Grove is a forward-thinking, thriving community in the northwest suburbs of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. We are home to over 70,000 residents with a projected population of 90,000 by 2040 with 2,500 acres of undeveloped land. The City of Maple Grove is proud to employ over 250 benefit-earning employees, 500+ part-time, casual, temporary, seasonal employees, and 100 paid-on-call firefighters to staff our many departments. We provide public safety, public works, community and economic development, parks & recreation, and many other important public services to a growing community.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and maintain contact with victims and non-law enforcement witnesses of crimes investigated and prosecuted by the City of Maple Grove.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of victim service providers throughout Hennepin County, neighboring counties, and the State of Minnesota.
• Provide victims of domestic violence notice of victims’ rights and all community resources available to them, and provide individualized referrals based on victims' needs.
• Coordinate with domestic violence service providers to assist victims in navigating appropriate services, obtaining a victim advocate, and any other resources needed.
• Attend court hearings and accompany victims and non-law enforcement witnesses to court proceedings when required.
• Educate victims and non-law enforcement witnesses about the legal processes and procedures in criminal court cases.
• Obtain restitution information and documentation from victims for court proceedings.
• Fulfill other duties as required to assist the city in meeting the requirements under the Minnesota Victim’s Rights Act.
• Assist the Maple Grove Police Department and City Prosecution staff, including attending DVRT meetings, trial meetings, and meetings with victims.
• Coordinates efforts to ensure the City of Maple Grove is an equitable, inclusive, and respectful organization and supports the City’s mission, vision, and core values.
• Demonstrates ability to understand and respect the diversity of customers and co-workers, effectively communicating with individuals whose first language may be one other than English.

• Knowledge of social service agencies and contacts within those agencies.
• Court procedures and practices.
• Minnesota Victim’s Rights statutes and requirements.
• Criminal justice and law enforcement databases and case management software.
• Government data practices.

• Communicate effectively with victims of crimes and domestic abuse.
• Work closely with law enforcement officers and prosecution staff.
• Ability to work with trauma victims in an empathetic and understanding manner.
• Maintain the highest level of professionalism, respect, and integrity.
• Collaborate with multiple agencies simultaneously.
• Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Problem-solve efficiently and effectively.

Qualifications

Any combination of experience that would likely provide the required knowledge is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Need to have:

• Associate's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or equivalent social sciences degrees.
• Two years of experience in the criminal justice or victim services field.

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or equivalent social sciences degrees.
• Experience working with the general public.
• Experience working with crime victims or trauma victims.
• Experience with trauma-based interviewing.
• Experience working directly with law enforcement.
• Experience working with victim service agencies.
• Bilingual skills in Spanish, Somali, Amharic, Oromo, Hmong, Vietnamese, and/or Lao.

Supplemental Information